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The Salt Path (The Film)

(333 Posts)
TerriBull Tue 03-Jun-25 19:21:49

I think there have been quite a few discussions on GN about the book since its publication. We went to see the film this afternoon, mixed reviews, not an overwhelming 5 stars from some critics. I loved it, found it very affecting in the portrayal of the depth of Ray and Moth's relationship, a rock solid marriage facing insurmountable problems, losing their home, subsequently made homeless, related in flashbacks. Practically penniless bar the meagre weekly benefit they received drawn along the way, whilst they set off on what would seem an insane challenge given Moth's serious and rare illness. Set backs en route, not least of all the elements wreaking havoc on their flimsy tent whilst they undertake the daunting, but beautiful south west coastal walk, I love that part of the world one of the reasons that drew me to the book in the first place.. Fantastic acting particularly from Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs ultimately uplifting.

Allsorts Mon 07-Jul-25 18:43:19

I read the book and soon realised it was fanciful, they came over as scroungers. I wouldn't see the film for that reason.

Paperbackwriter Mon 07-Jul-25 18:43:37

Lathyrus3

I hope she’s been back and repaid the people that she stole from.

Yes - I take it you've read the Observer piece!

Mollygo Mon 07-Jul-25 18:45:49

On BBC news she says the accusation is wrong and she’s taking legal advice. There’s also doubt cast on the claims about Moth’s illness.
Could be more exciting than the film or the book!

eazybee Mon 07-Jul-25 18:47:36

The point is, the walk along the south-west coastal path may have been true, but the book was based on the premise that this couple had been unjustly treated and that the husband was suffering a terminal illness which miraculously went into remission because of the healing properties of their walk.
There was admiration for their fortitude and sympathy for their plight.
That is the deception, and people do not like being conned.

No doubt there will be a drama-documentary some time in the future about Tim and Sally Walker and their machinations, like the one about the couple who faked the husband's death while he hid in the house.

Cabowich Mon 07-Jul-25 18:49:19

I've not long finished one of the best books I've ever read. It is "Raising Hare" by Chloe Dalton and it was a bestseller towards the end of last year. A "buzz" book as somebody called it, but it was so moving and the author a brilliant writer.

After the revelations about the author of The Salt Path, I'll be devastated if, in years to come, it is revealed that Chloe Dalton didn't in fact raise a hare.

LucyAnna5 Mon 07-Jul-25 18:56:08

merlotgran

Robin202

Has anyone not seen what has subsequently been written about the Salt Path, that it was based on lies? Here’s the article from the Observer. observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-real-salt-path-how-the-couple-behind-a-bestseller-left-a-trail-of-debt-and-deceit

😩😩😩

hmm. hmm grin. grin

Going off to find a brick wall to bang my head against!

Lahlah65 Mon 07-Jul-25 18:59:49

MayBee70

I wonder how Gigspanner and, to a lesser degree Angela Harding will react to this revelation?

Exactly what I thought. No one should feel bad about having been taken in - it's good to trust people - until you have a reason not to. And Raynor Wynn is obviously very convincing (although not much of a performer imho).

Lathyrus3 Mon 07-Jul-25 19:04:18

Paperbackwriter

Lathyrus3

I hope she’s been back and repaid the people that she stole from.

Yes - I take it you've read the Observer piece!

Of course.

My post you’ve quoted was made days and days ago.

I don’t want anyone thinking I’m one of those who don’t read what’s gone before.

I haven’t been making any recent comments at all.

Lathyrus3 Mon 07-Jul-25 19:05:07

And as far as I know she hasn’t repaid anybody anything -ever.

MayBee70 Mon 07-Jul-25 19:29:01

Lahlah65

MayBee70

I wonder how Gigspanner and, to a lesser degree Angela Harding will react to this revelation?

Exactly what I thought. No one should feel bad about having been taken in - it's good to trust people - until you have a reason not to. And Raynor Wynn is obviously very convincing (although not much of a performer imho).

She’s also narrated one of the audio books and but I find her voice irritating. Which is why I can’t listen to her collaboration with Gigspanner. I did feel bad about that but consoled myself with the fact that I don’t particularly like Simon Armitages speaking voice when he narrates his work and I do actually like him a lot. You have to have a very special kind of voice if you’re going to narrate something.

Magenta8 Mon 07-Jul-25 20:49:19

LucyAnna5

merlotgran

Robin202

Has anyone not seen what has subsequently been written about the Salt Path, that it was based on lies? Here’s the article from the Observer. observer.co.uk/news/national/article/the-real-salt-path-how-the-couple-behind-a-bestseller-left-a-trail-of-debt-and-deceit

😩😩😩

hmm. hmm grin. grin

Going off to find a brick wall to bang my head against!

Groundhog Day. I will start hearing "I've Got You Babe" soon.grin

In fairness, there have been some very interesting comments among the many repetitions.

MayBee70 Mon 07-Jul-25 21:21:07

Gigspanner are on tour with her at the moment; in fact they're playing at a local venue to me next week, and they're touring for weeks.

merlotgran Mon 07-Jul-25 21:32:04

For those of us who haven’t read the books and now don’t want to see the film, who/what is Gigspanner please?

Allira Mon 07-Jul-25 21:37:00

Taking audiences by storm, Saltlines is a prose and music collaboration between bestselling author Raynor Winn (The Salt Path) and The Gigspanner Big Band, which features some of the most celebrated names on the British folk scene – Peter Knight (Steeleye Span) Trio, John Spiers (Bellowhead), Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin (BBC Folk Awards Best Duo).

Together they have created a compelling, mesmerising odyssey which explores the landscape, social history and traditions of the South West Coast Path.

She's certainly very plausible!

Lathyrus3 Mon 07-Jul-25 21:37:13

MayBee70

Gigspanner are on tour with her at the moment; in fact they're playing at a local venue to me next week, and they're touring for weeks.

She has withdrawn from the tour apparently.

Iam64 Mon 07-Jul-25 21:37:50

It’s a band merlotgran. It’s advertising July 2025 events Saltlines with Raynor Winn. It’s a tour (or it was )

Iam64 Mon 07-Jul-25 21:39:03

Sorry, slow typing so overtaken by Lathyrus and Allira

Allira Mon 07-Jul-25 21:44:51

PSPA, a charity which supports people with CBD and had worked with the Winns, has now ended its relationship with the family, according to the BBC.
The Guardian 21.00 7the July 2025.

Primrose53 Mon 07-Jul-25 21:46:45

I flicked through my copy of THE SP last night and you know the section “About The Author” that was very vague and said nothing about her past just that she was a keen walker etc.

MayBee70 Mon 07-Jul-25 21:56:40

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGsMDDKvjmA

Wyllow3 Mon 07-Jul-25 21:58:24

eazybee

The point is, the walk along the south-west coastal path may have been true, but the book was based on the premise that this couple had been unjustly treated and that the husband was suffering a terminal illness which miraculously went into remission because of the healing properties of their walk.
There was admiration for their fortitude and sympathy for their plight.
That is the deception, and people do not like being conned.

No doubt there will be a drama-documentary some time in the future about Tim and Sally Walker and their machinations, like the one about the couple who faked the husband's death while he hid in the house.

Yes, I have only just come onto the thread, and was going to mention the walk and how they presented themselves - lovely scenery!

I find some of the stronger criticism, indeed, totally "dissing" them, unnecessary. People do what they think is best, and we are bound to have widely different views: I prefer to take a glass half full approach and forgive all but the worst, ie outright lies, or where others are harmed.

Wyllow3 Mon 07-Jul-25 22:03:34

And as I said, unless they did harm or lied, I do not mind someone "working the system, as long, again, as it does no harm to others. As someone wisely said to me, "Never be afraid of asking for what you want/need". (as others will set the boundaries).

Allira Mon 07-Jul-25 22:07:51

Do you not know what they did?

Crocus5 Mon 07-Jul-25 22:13:10

I’m interested to know what you mean by “working the system.”

MayBee70 Mon 07-Jul-25 22:19:11

Remember when Ffyona Campbell said she was going to walk around the world at the Live Aid concert. Well she did. But she did miss part of it out. From memory she found herself pregnant and had an abortion and because she was recovering travelled for part of it in a vehicle. ( I did a lot of walking back then and loved reading her book about it).The deceit haunted her so much that she went back and re did that part of the walk, even though it hadn’t been a great distance. She couldn’t live with the lie. I don’t think that Raynor Winn feels any sort of remorse. I don’t usually feel this sort of way about such things but this deceit has really annoyed me. Maybe it’s because the coastal path in Cornwall is so precious to me.